The UK condemns the senseless attack by Iran on Erbil on 13 March, a serious violation of Iraqi sovereignty. We continue to support the security and stability of Iraq including the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. The UK considers this and other attacks to constitute a threat to peace and security in Iraq and the wider region.

The UK condemns the terrorist attack on the Army Headquarters in Diyala province that resulted in the death of at least 11 members of the Iraqi Security Forces. Our thoughts are with the families of those killed. On Monday 25 January, the United Kingdom joined fellow Security Council members in condemning the attack in the strongest terms, and reiterated Security Council support for the independence, sovereignty, unity, territorial integrity, democratic process and prosperity of Iraq.

This attack demonstrates that Daesh remains active. It is crucial that Iraq and the international community continue to work together to address this common threat. As a leading member of Global Coalition against Daesh, we continue to support Iraq in its fight to secure the lasting defeat of Daesh.

We condemn the attack on Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi that took place at the Prime Minister's home in Baghdad on 7 November. Prime Minister Johnson called Prime Minister Kadhimi later that day. He made clear that the UK stands by the Iraqi people and supports Prime Minister Kadhimi's call for calm and restraint. We stand with the Iraqi government, security forces and people in their rejection of political violence, and urge all disputes around the election to be settled through the proper legal channels.

We have long been clear about our concerns over Iran's continued destabilising activity throughout the region, including its political, financial and military support to a number of militant and proscribed groups. We continue to support the security of our allies, including through our close defence partnerships across the Middle East and by working to strengthen institutions and build capacity in more vulnerable countries, including in Iraq. The Foreign Secretary recently visited Iraq to commit UK support for Iraqi efforts to tackle armed groups and militias seeking to escalate regional tensions.

The UK is concerned by the activities of militia groups seeking to sow instability across Iraq, including in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. These militia groups undermine the rule of law and the Iraqi people's desire for peace. The Foreign Secretary visited Iraq 8-9 June and highlighted the need for greater accountability for human rights violations by militia groups with President Salih and Prime Minister Kadhimi. He also emphasised to Prime Minister Kadhimi and the President of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, President Nechirvan Barzani, UK support for their efforts to tackle armed groups and militias agitating for escalation.

The UK is concerned by the activities of militia groups seeking to sow instability across Iraq, including in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. These militia groups undermine the rule of law and the Iraqi people's desire for peace. The Foreign Secretary visited Iraq 8-9 June and highlighted the need for greater accountability for human rights violations by militia groups with President Salih and Prime Minister Kadhimi. He also emphasised to Prime Minister Kadhimi and the President of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, President Nechirvan Barzani, UK support for their efforts to tackle armed groups and militias agitating for escalation.

The show of force and threats from armed groups around Baghdad's International Zone in May undermines the Iraqi people's repeated calls for peace and respect for the rule of law. No one should use force and threats to impede criminal investigations. On the 2 June the Foreign Secretary spoke to Iraq's Prime Minister Kadhimi to condemn threats by armed groups. The UK fully supports the government's investigation into the actions of armed groups and we stand with Iraq against militias agitating for escalation.

We strongly condemn the killing of the activist Ihab al-Wazni. Impunity for the killing of activists since October 19 has only led to more deaths. There is an urgent need for concrete measures to hold perpetrators accountable and protect Iraqi citizens.

The show of force and threats from armed groups around Baghdad's International Zone in May undermines the Iraqi people's repeated calls for peace and respect for the rule of law. No one should use force and threats to impede criminal investigations. On the 2 June the Foreign Secretary spoke to Iraq's Prime Minister Kadhimi to condemn threats by armed groups. The UK fully supports the government's investigation into the actions of armed groups and we stand with Iraq against militias agitating for escalation.

We strongly condemn the killing of the activist Ihab al-Wazni. Impunity for the killing of activists since October 19 has only led to more deaths. There is an urgent need for concrete measures to hold perpetrators accountable and protect Iraqi citizens.

The World Bank estimates that the collapse in oil revenues will force a 9.0% contraction in growth, a 19% fiscal deficit and over 40% of the population into poverty. The UK continues to work closely with the Government of Iraq (GoI) and international community to stabilise and reform the economy in order to create opportunities for all Iraqis. In 2018 the UK was a founding donor to the World Bank's Iraq Reform, Recovery and Reconstruction Trust Fund which supports reconstruction and economic stabilisation in Iraq. In October the UK launched the Iraq Economic Contact Group in London, to bring together the GoI, international partners and financial institutions to monitor risks and coordinate resources to support implementation of reforms and macro-economic stability. The UK will continue to support Iraq as it undertakes bold economic reforms.

The UK works closely with the Government of Iraq, Kurdistan Regional Government and international partners on the removal of exploded ordnance in Iraq, including in Mosul. This includes close collaboration and continuous assessment of the level of unexploded ordnance. The UK funds UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS) demining efforts in Iraq and is the third largest donor, having provided over £24.75 million since 2015. This funding provides Explosive Hazard Management (EHM) response in support of humanitarian and stabilisation efforts, delivers risk education at the community level and national/regional level, and enhances Government entities' capacity to manage, regulate and coordinate an EHM response through training and mentoring programmes.

The UK has discussed the need for ongoing dialogue with the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Government of Iraq and the Kurdistan Regional Government. We will continue to raise the need for cooperation between Iraq and Turkey to combat terrorism, ensure regional security and protect civilians.

The UK was proud to partner with the Government of Iraq, international partners and international financial institutions to launch the Iraq Economic Contact Group (IECG) on 22 October 2020. Partners agreed to work with the Government to develop an implementation plan and establish a delivery unit to support reforms to stabilise the economy. The IECG will convene quarterly to assess risks and coordinate international resources behind reform delivery.

The UK closely monitors the security situation in Iraq, and regularly engages with the Government of Iraq and international partners in order to support stability in Iraq and the wider region. The Prime Minister was pleased to welcome Prime Minister Kadhimi to the UK on 22 October. During this visit, the Prime Minister underlined the UK's commitment to supporting the Government of Iraq in countering the threat from Daesh through the Global Coalition, and the need to ensure the security of all foreign and diplomatic personnel in Iraq.

The UK closely monitors the security situation in Iraq, and regularly engages with the Government of Iraq and international partners in order to support stability in Iraq and the wider region. The Prime Minister was pleased to welcome Prime Minister Kadhimi to the UK on 22 October. During this visit, the Prime Minister underlined the UK's commitment to supporting the Government of Iraq in countering the threat from Daesh through the Global Coalition, and the need to ensure the security of all foreign and diplomatic personnel in Iraq.

The UK supports the Government of Iraq's efforts to resolve the file on Kuwait and third-country nationals pursuant to UN Security Council resolution 2107. We welcome continued bilateral dialogue between the Governments of Iraq and Kuwait in progressing this issue.

​The UK supports the consolidation of democracy in Iraq through both diplomatic engagement and programme support. During my visit to Baghdad and Erbil in January, I welcomed the recent national elections and those in the Kurdistan region and encouraged swift completion of the formation of the Iraqi cabinet and Kurdistan Regional Government. We recently welcomed the Speaker of the Iraqi Parliament and a delegation of Iraqi MPs to the UK where they were able to witness British parliamentary processes and exchange experiences. As part of our programme assistance, the UK is helping the Government of Iraq in newly liberated areas and in Basra to make governance and the delivery of services more effective and responsive, so strengthening relations between local communities and the Iraqi authorities.

From August 2016 to March 2017, the International Commission on Missing Persons carried out a project in Iraq for which the Foreign and Commonwealth Office provided £75,000.

Through the Conflict, Security and Stability Fund, the British Government supports the Government of Iraq to ensure that the governance and delivery of services in areas newly liberated from Daesh are more effective, responsive and legitimate. We are working with local political institutions to support their delivery of services such as healthcare, water, electricity, and education, and to create new job opportunities. We are also implementing projects which aim to improve the capability and accountability of local governments, particularly in Basra, Salaheldin, Ninewah and Anbar. These projects assist in providing better and more responsive governance for the Iraqi people including through improved service delivery and community conflict resolution.

We continue to encourage the Government of Iraq in their efforts to hold national elections on time this year (due 12 May) and ensure that these are inclusive, transparent and enable the Iraqi people to have their voice heard.

We strongly condemn the shameful attack against the civilian residents of Camp Liberty in Iraq on 29 October. Officials from our Embassy in Baghdad raised the attack with the Iraqi Prime Minister’s Office on 30 October and made clear the importance of an urgent and comprehensive investigation into the incident and ensuring that all those responsible are brought to justice.

In all of our engagement with the Government of Iraq on this issue, including at Ministerial level and in our statements, we have emphasised the importance of the Iraqi Government doing everything possible to ensure the safety of the residents of Camp Liberty. We support the United Nations’ calls for more to be done to protect the residents.

The readmission of former residents of Camp Ashraf to the UK is a decision for the Secretary of State for the Home Department and their applications have not been discussed at ministerial level.